NBA Power Rankings: Preview the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest

Dearly Departed: Derrick Jones Jr., Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill

New Additions: Moe Harkless, Avery Bradley, Precious Achiuwa

Win Projection/Prediction: 43/Over

The reigning Eastern Conference Champions being this low is no slight. They are not the type of team that is going to go for the best regular-season record. They are going to compete hard every single night but are playing for the ultimate prize at the end of the line.

This team is better than the one that tore through the playoffs last year. Moe Harkless replaces Jae Crowder reliably. Avery Bradley is the perfect Heat player. Precious Achiuwa should fit well right behind breakout star Bam Adebayo.

Speaking of the former Kentucky Wildcat, Adebayo took a leap at the beginning of last season and then again during the shutdown. He cemented himself as a top 20 player in the league. He is a force on both ends of the ball and has changed the future of this team from looking to use their young talent to build around Jimmy Butler to maybe being the focal point to build around.

Tyler Herro has worked his way into that conversation as well. He was a certified bucket in the playoffs and showed that he is already ready to compete at the highest level. He went from late lottery selection to franchise building block that quickly. What he does in year two could further alter Miami’s trajectory.

Jimmy Butler has changed this team for the better and has found himself a home. No one should be sleeping on the Heat this season. You can almost ignore their regular-season records this season. Just prepare for one of the most difficult outs in the postseason.